Embedments - Tombstones - Custom Resin Awards

To
Order an ACRYLIC EMBEDMENT, TOMBSTONE, OR CUSTOM RESIN AWARD
Please Call: Customer Service at 1.888.968.4696
or International Callers 650.342.6062

The possibilities with
embedments, tombstones, and custom resin awards is endless. For
this reason, we do not offer the purchase of these items online,
but provide you with a description and understanding of the
process and some options.

PYRAMID SHAPE

RECTANGLE

WEDGE

PRISM SHAPE

This standard
pyramid award features an embedded metal cast
miniature, a blown glass water drop, and custom
tinted bottom. The text is achieved by using an
offset printed card.

This standard
rectangle award features custom cut miniature wood
doors with metal cast door knobs. The rectangle has
a custom tinted gray background. The text is
achieved through a screened acetate insert.

This standard
wedge award features custom laser cut plexi letter
in front of a custom molded acrylic wave. It also
features a sand blasted frosted back. The text is
achieved by using a screened acetate insert.

This award features a standard prism shape, with an
embedded globe. The text is achieved through a
screened acetate insert.

HALF
OVAL

OBELISK

OVAL

TRIANGLE SHAPE

This standard
standing half oval award features a cibachrome
photograph, in front of a black plexi background.
The text is achieved by using a screened acetate
insert.

This standard
obelisk award features a screened acetate insert
with a black plexi bottom

This standard
oval award features a screened silver plate with a
black plexi bottom

This standard
triangle award features a screened acetate insert
and a black plexi bottom with beveled edges.

CUSTOM
BEAR

CUSTOM
TRUCK

CUSTOM
MOLDED

CUSTOM
SHAPE

This award
features a custom shaped bear. The text is achieved
through a screened acetate insert.

This award
features a tinted acrylic inner core embedded with a
clear layer for an offset printed card. The tires
are laser cut plex with screened sticker wheels.

This award
has been custom molded and machined with a tinted
inner core. The image and text are achieved through
four color process printing.

This award
features a custom shaped bottle made of machined
acrylic with a custom tinted inner core. The label
was made through four color process printing.

CUSTOM
RESIN

CUSTOM
RESIN

CUSTOM
RESIN

CUSTOM
RESIN

This
penguin in this award is a custom resin shape that
has been hand painted. The bottle is a machined
bottle with a laser cut plexi cap, and an offset
printed card. The base is a tinted custom shape.

This
award is a hand painted custom resin shape. The text
on the drum and on the battery is achieved by using
screened stickers.

This
lighthouse is a custom resin shape that has been
hand painted. The lighthouse sits on a black tinted
acrylic base. The message on the base is achieved by
using an offset printed card.

This
award is a custom resin shape that has been hand
painted. The text is applied by individual screened
stickers.

Historically embedments have been used by corporations to
announce a stock offering or a business merger or venture. When
embedments are used in this means they are also called
tombstones. They are tombstones because they are full of
information regarding an event and virtually last forever. In
some cases a business may opt to reproduce a
stock certificate and embed it in acrylic. Another use for
embedments might be a construction company commemorating a
ground opening by embeding a card or acetate with information
regarding the event and including a small metal shovel. The
possibilities are endless. We highly recommend discussing the
possibilities for your project with one of our award
specialists.

The manufacturing of acrylic embedments began shortly after
World War II. It has remained one of the best kept manufacturing
secrets, handed down through trusted associates. Because of the
tremendous technical knowledge required, the total number of
actual manufacturers remains very small.

Acrylic is a high quality product. The versatility
of acrylic allows it to be custom designed into a variety of
shapes and sizes, incorporating many different types of embedded
elements. However, due to chemical reactions during the process,
not everything can be embedded.
The process starts with two basic ingredients, an acrylic resin
powder and monomer, a crystal clear liquid. The powder and
monomer are mixed together in specific proportions. The result
is a thick, opaque liquid. The mixture is hand poured into molds
and allowed to partially harden. Objects to be embedded are then
hand placed into the acrylic layer. Another layer is poured over
the embedded object and the acrylic is again allowed to harden.
During this stage, the liquid acrylic is an opaque, milky white.
It is very difficult to center objects on multiple levels when
the objects below cannot be clearly seen. Because theses
embedded objects are placed by hand, no two acrylic embedments
are ever 100% alike.

After the acrylic has hardened, the molds are placed into an
oven. There, heat cures, and pressure squeezes out the air
bubbles, to completely harden the embedment. This curing process
may take up to seven hours. After cooling, the acrylic
embedments are removed from the molds and the sizing process
begins. All acrylic parts are cast oversized to allow for
shrinkage, which varies from part to part. Three steps are taken
to size the embedments. The parts are ground down to size by
hand on large industrial sanders. A coarse grit belt is used
first, followed by a medium grit belt. A final sanding with a
fine grit belt makes it easier to polish the sanded acrylic.
Variations occur in this sizing process since it is all done by
hand.

Polishing is the next step in the process. It is also done by
hand. This brings out the luster and high gloss of the acrylic
not previously seen during production. A rough buffing is
administered to remove all sanding lines. A final polishing then
brings out the bright crystal-like finish. The production of the
acrylic embedment is completed.